Short answer: Not in general, no. Long answer follows below. Most studies into offending get their data by asking child abuse offenders if they experienced sexual abuse as children (CSA), with many reporting that they did. It has been pointed out that their word is not necessarily reliable and they may have other reasons forContinue reading “Do the Abused become Abusers?”
Yearly Archives: 2017
December 2017 Research Update
I thought it was time that I update you all on how the research is going. I’ve had 79 responses to the survey so far. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to fill it in. There are responses from people of different ethnicities, abilities and ages (from 18-70+). The majorityContinue reading “December 2017 Research Update”
Insider Research and Objectivity
Recently I have been told that it is not ethical to research something I have experienced because I will not be objective. Objectivity is seen as key to the scientific method and is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘the ability to consider or represent facts, information, etc., without being influenced by personal feelings orContinue reading “Insider Research and Objectivity”
How many victims?
One of the shocking things coming from the Harvey Weinstein scandal is the sheer number of victims. When it comes to child abusers again the numbers of victims can be staggering. There are different ways of gathering data on this, including identifying the victims such as in the case of Jimmy Savile or asking theContinue reading “How many victims?”
Ready, Steady, Go!
I’m really pleased that my survey passed ethics approval at the University of Sheffield. I was concerned before I started my PhD that it would be tricky as people who have experienced abuse are seen (in general) as inherently ‘vulnerable.’ My argument has always been that whilst people who have experienced abuse might have mentalContinue reading “Ready, Steady, Go!”
Peer Abuse
Peer abuse has been in the news lately, that is abuse of children by children. The assumption is that abuse by children has risen. I don’t know if we can conclude that or not. It may be true but it may also be that we haven’t been asking the right questions before. What is orContinue reading “Peer Abuse”
Recovery from Trauma – the Body Keeps the Score
I’m in The Hague for the next few days at the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) conference. There have been lots of interesting papers so far but I was inspired to blog about two sessions today from Bessel Van de Kolk because it’s all about the effects of traumaContinue reading “Recovery from Trauma – the Body Keeps the Score”
Abusers in Positions of Power
How do abusers get access to children? Researchers have asked people who have experienced abuse and, over the years, a pretty consistent picture has emerged. On average the majority of abusers are people known to the family; neighbours, acquaintances and people in authority. The next largest group is family members, including step-family, followed by aContinue reading “Abusers in Positions of Power”
Teenagers and Consent
There’s been a lot in the news lately about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) denying compensation to victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) on the grounds that they consented. I wonder how many of these were teenagers because we do really seem to have a problem addressing CSA when teenagers are the victims. ThereContinue reading “Teenagers and Consent”
It’s not just about counselling
My research is looking at recovery from childhood sexual abuse (CSA). As a survivor I think that recovery is about much more than counselling, it’s about how we relate to others, how we explain life, how we see ourselves, how we express ourselves – and much more. You might have a different opinion. I’ve gotContinue reading “It’s not just about counselling”
